CODA Blackbird Class Fast Frigate (Recon)

Production Data
Origin: United Federation of Planets
Class and Type: Blackbird Class Fast Frigate
Year Launched: 2370

Propulsion Data
Impulse System: FIE-2 (.85) (E)
Warp System: LF-45 (6/9.6/9.9) (C)

Hull Data
Structure: 30 (5 Ablative Armour)
Size/Decks: 5/8 decks
Length/Beam/Height: 210/62/45
Complement: 65

Operational Data
Atmospheric Capable: No
Cargo: 50
Operations System: Class 3 (D)
Sensor System: Class 5 (+5/F)
Separation System: No
Shuttlebay: 1 AV
Shuttlecraft: 5 size worth
Tractor Beams: 1FV
Transporters: 2 standard, 2 emergency, 2 cargo

Tactical Data
Phaser Banks: Type VIII (x3/C)
Penetration: 5/5/4/0/0
Photon Torpedoes: Mk 75 (x2/C)
Penetration: 6/6/6/6/6
Deflector Shield: FSQ (D)
Protection/Threshold: 17/4

Miscellaneous Data
Manoeuvring: +1C +2H +1T
Edges & Flaws: Vulnerable system (warp drive); battle scarred (weapons); monotanium plating; ablative armour

Background

Constructed as part of an extension of the Perimeter Defence Force mandate at the Beta Antares shipyards under high security this class of vessel is historically significant in that all the ships in the class were built simultaneously (a first in Starfleet history). Their keels were laid on the same day and they were all completed within two weeks of one another. They were all commissioned on the same day in a highly secret ceremony. The Blackbird Class was officially denied by Starfleet Command until after the Dominion War and even now their full specification and location is classified and their operational history and current status is not listed on the weekly Starfleet Proceedings Updates issued across the fleet. It has been acknowledged that they were heavily used in the Dominion War however and their role as a reconnaissance craft has led many people to (correctly) deduce that they are now being used to keep watch on the Romulans, Cardassians, Tholians and Breen. Designed as a non-combatant vessel the designers equipped the class with the fastest warp drive they could and placed weaponry as a secondary consideration. The intent was that the ship, if discovered by the enemy, would be able to outrun almost any threat vessel. Added the monotanium plating to reduce the sensor footprint of the ship, in trials the ship proved difficult to detect and once it was it rapidly managed to escape to a safe distance. Given the mandate for the class was to provide superior information from it’s assigned target the designers also equipped the class with the finest sensor suite they could at the cost of other shipboard systems such as operations and life support. Again the logic was the ship wouldn’t hang around in a dangerous environment in order to be damaged. The designers, however, did acknowledge the lack of tactical ability and the vulnerability of the design and so they did address this with the inclusion on the tried and proven FSQ deflector shield. Historians have commented that this ship is Starfleet’s version of the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance planes used in the 20th Century by the United States. Starfleet Command wouldn’t comment on this observation although the head of Starfleet Intelligence was said to have smiled smugly when he was told of the comment. Due to political and diplomatic ramifications the existence and use of these vessels by Starfleet has become something of a hot potato. Many within the Federation and Starfleet feel that the construction of these vessels go against the essence of what Starfleet stands for and was intended for. Those in favour claim that after the devastating losses inflicted during the Dominion War that Starfleet should take a more pro-active role towards defence and that in peace time these vessel serve as excellent science and research platforms. Diplomatically the existence of these vessels has caused many eyebrows to be raised although as of yet no official complaint has been raised. The Federation Council is currently considering the withdrawl of these vessels although many people believe that they will continue to be used even if such an announcement was to be made.

Current class vessels

Name Registry Notes
Blackbird NCC-76431 CLASSIFIED
Kestrel NCC-76432 CLASSIFIED
Falcon NCC-76433 CLASSIFIED
Hawk NCC-76434 CLASSIFIED
Buzzard NCC-76435 CLASSIFIED